Panaji: Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy announced today that the number of foreign tourists visiting India between January and April 2023 has seen a remarkable increase of 166% compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the fourth G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting, he highlighted the resurgence of foreign tourist arrivals after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The number of foreign tourists who arrived in India this year during January-April is 166% higher than the figures for the corresponding period in 2022."
He also expressed delight at hosting the concluding meeting of the TWG in Goa. "India is hosting over 200 G20 meetings at 55 locations across the country, and tourism is reaping the benefits from these meetings," he said emphasising the inclusive approach taken by India to host G20 delegates. Adhering to the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhav' (Guest is equivalent to God), India warmly welcomes G20 delegates and aspires for them to return to their home countries as ambassadors of India, he added.
Interacting with members of the Yuva Tourism Club during the opening session, he described the G20 meetings across the nation as a grand festival.
The TWG meeting, which took place on Tuesday, encompassed discussions on sustainable tourism and climate change, among other pertinent subjects. The fourth and final meeting aimed to address the challenges faced by the global tourism sector.
The minister hailed India as the "mother of democracy" and an "ancient land of spirituality". He called upon the international community to collaborate in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector. "As the current chair of the G20, India echoes the themes of mother of democracy and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), which the central government prominently incorporates in its posters and communication materials."
The Union Minister outlined two priorities of the Indian government - sustainable infrastructure development to cater to the growing needs of tourists and creating awareness among tourists to encourage responsible consumption and the adoption of environmentally conscious lifestyles. He also highlighted the launch of the "G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard," aimed at promoting policies and initiatives by the G20 countries and guest nations to foster a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector.
In collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a thematic discussion on 'Making India a Hub for Cruise Tourism' was organised during the event. At the conclusion of the fourth Tourism Working Group Meeting and the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan, along with a ministerial communique endorsing the roadmap, will be issued.
The minister also emphasised the positive outcomes of the previous three meetings and expressed optimism that the fourth meeting in Goa will continue to foster insightful discussions and constructive decisions. The outcomes aim to support the development of a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector. "The Goa Roadmap and Action Plan, aligned with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030, will serve as key deliverables from the G20 Tourism Track under India's leadership. The TWG focuses on five interconnected priority areas: green tourism, digitization, skills, tourism MSMEs, and destination. These priorities lay the foundation for accelerating the tourism sector's transformation and attaining the targets for the 2030 SDGs."
The first G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting was held at the Runn of Kutch in Gujarat, followed by the second in Siliguri and Darjeeling, West Bengal, and the third hosted in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.